Teenagers heading back to school this month can claim money to help ease the pressure of paying for transport and essentials.

Pupils aged between 16 and 19 are eligible for the Newcastle Schools Bursary Scheme, funded by Newcastle City Council and designed for teens from families with lower incomes.

The scheme offers weekly payments of up to £18.28 during term time. The money is deposited in eligible students' bank accounts.

The bursaries are designed to pay for costs pupils may face in going to school , such as paying for transport, books or putting towards educational trips.

Students who received the bursaries last year must reapply again this year, as they are assessed annually.

The money won't go straight into students' accounts at the start of the academic year - they will be deposited in arrears from December.

How much could I claim?

Kenton School

The amount students can claim depends on their age and household income - which essentially means how much their parents or guardians earn.

There are two types of bursaries: standard, for anyone from a lower income family; and enhanced, for those who are supporting themselves, living independently, have dependents or are in care.

Standard Bursaries

Household income of £21,858.00 or less (including benefits) - students can claim £15.00 per week while in year 12 or £18.28 per week while in year 13 or 14.

Household income of between £21,859.00 and £27,000.00 (including benefits) - students can claim £10.00 per week while you are in year 12, 13 or 14.

Enhanced Bursaries

For students in care, or who are financially supporting themselves, have dependents and receiving benefits - Up to £1,200.00 paid in instalments in arrears during term time only.

If you are applying for an enhanced bursary you should:

• complete the online application

• provide a letter confirming your status of being in care or of having been in care, which you can get from your social worker

• provide evidence that you are receiving benefits in your own right, if applicable

How do I know if I can claim the money?

Gosforth Academy

Standard bursary

To apply for the standard bursary you must meet all four of the following conditions:

• attend a school in Newcastle which is part of the scheme

• be starting Year 12, 13 or 14 in September

• be aged between 16 and 18 on 31 August

• live in a household with an annual income (including benefits and tax credits) below £27,000.00

Enhanced bursary

To apply for the enhanced bursary you must meet all four of the following conditions:

• attend a school in Newcastle which is part of the scheme

• be starting Year 12,13 or 14 in September

• be aged between 16 and 18 on 31 August

and you must also belong to one of the following groups:

be in care

recently left local authority care

receive income support or Universal Credit because you are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and who you are living with, such as a child or partner

Which schools are eligible?

Students must attend one of the following schools to get the bursaries.

How do I apply?

They will need to supply evidence of household income for standards bursaries. Those claiming advanced bursaries will need to provide evidence they are receiving benefits in their own right; or evidence they have been or are in care.

The council will email applicants to let them know if they have been awarded the cash.